Protecting structure

ABSTRACT

A protecting structure capable of being used to protect door knobs or the like during painting and other operations can be constructed using two sheets of cardboard secured along their side edges so that they can be bowed outwardly from one another. Two adjacent ends of the sheets are divided into terminal portions by curved, scored lines so that the terminal portions can be deformed to extend alongside of one another when the sheets are bowed as indicated. At least one of the terminal portions is formed so that its ends fit against the sheet opposite the sheet upon which it is located when these terminal portions are located alongside of one another so as to hold the structure in an open position in which it can be used.

United States atent n91 Farrell PROTECTING STRUCTURE [75 Inventor: James P. Farrell, Orange, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Fastmask Company, Orange, Calif.

[22] Filed: Mar. 16, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 235,805

[52] US. Cl ..1l8/505, 229/8 [51] Int. Cl. ..B05b 15/04 [58] Field of Search ..118/301, 504, 505; 117/38,

[ Mar. 27, 1973 Primary Examiner-Morris Kaplan Atlorney-Edward D. OBrian ABSTRACT A protecting structure capable of being used to protect door knobs or the like during painting and other operations can be constructed using two sheets of cardboard secured along their side edges so that they can be bowed outwardly from one another. Two adjacent ends of the sheets are divided into terminal portions by curved, scored lines so that the terminal portions can be deformed to extend alongside of one another when the sheets are bowed as indicated. At least one of the terminal portions is formed so that its ends fit against the sheet opposite the sheet upon which it is located when these terminal portions are located alongside of one another so as to hold the structure in an open position in which it can be used.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHAR271973 SHEET 2 [IF 2 llllllllllllllllll'llll Wit 732 Win.

144 7 E III, lmlh-lldlllnm 0. 6 /Z5 PROTECTING STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION During painting and other related operations such as some types of cleaning operations it is frequently desirable to protect door knobs and other similar objects extending from a surface so that they are not painted or damaged in some way or another. Although this seems like a rather simple matter, in fact there is much more to it than one would normally consider. Satisfactory protection for objects of the type indicated involves combined factors of utility, ease of use and effectiveness. These factors are all related to economic considerations.

In the past, a wide variety of different expedients have been utilized in order to protect objects as indicated. It is considered that it would be impossible to indicate in this specification the precise natures of all of these expedients. They have involved the use of masking tape, various types of container-like structures and the like. Although unquestionably various ways of protecting objects such as door knobs and the like which have been utilized in the past are utilitarian to at least a degree. It is not considered that these past expedients have been both desirably economic and desirably utilitarian in character.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A broad objective of the present invention is to provide new and improved protecting structures for use in protecting door knobs and similar objects extending from a surface so that such objects are not painted or damaged during painting and other related operations. A further objective of the present invention is to provide structures for such use which can be economically employed in that they are comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, are easy to use, and are effective in providing a desired degree of protection. Another objective of the present invention is to provide protecting structures as indicated which can be manufactured so as to have a flat, closed configuration or position and which are capable of being easily and conveniently deformed or bent to an open configuration or position in which they may be used.

In accordance with this invention these and various related objectives of the invention are achieved in a protecting structure which utilizes two sheets of somewhat flexible, somewhat resilient self-supporting material having side edges which are identically shaped so as to fit against one another and first and second ends. These sheets are attached to one another by flexible means securing their side edges together; both of them have curved, scored lines connecting the corners of the sheets between their first ends and their side edges which define terminal portions of the sheets adjacent to these first ends.

A structure as described is normally manufactured and supplied to a user in a flat, closed position in which the sheets lie against one another. These sheets are capable of being deformed to an open position by bowing them outwardly from one another between the side edges and by bending the terminal portions so that they extend in a curved plane alongside of one another in such a manner that they are directed towards one another. At least one of the first ends is shaped so as to engage the sheet opposite it when it is so bent so as to hold the entire structure in an open position. The second ends on the sheets are shaped so that in this open position they will fit against a surface upon which an object such as door knob is located so as to fit around the base of such an object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further details of the present invention as well as many advantages of it will be apparent from a careful consideration of the remainder of this specification including the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a presently preferred embodiment or form of a protecting structure in accordance with this invention, this view showing the structure in a closed, flat configuration or position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the protecting structure shown in FIG. 1 in an open, in use configuration or position as it is employed around a common door knob;

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the construction of the protecting structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modified embodiment or form of a protecting structure in accordance with this invention, this view showing the structure in a closed, flat configuration or position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the protecting structure shown in FIG. 1 in an open, in use configuration or position as it is employed around a common door knob; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the construction of the protecting structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The particular protecting structures shown in the drawings are particular embodiments or forms of structures utilizing the essentially intangible concepts of this invention as set forth and defined in the appended claims forming a part of this disclosure. Through the use or exercise of routine engineering skill these concepts can be embodied within various protecting structures which are somewhat different from those illustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

In FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown a protecting structure 10 in accordance with this invention which is preferably manufactured from a single sheet of a somewhat flexible and somewhat resilient self-supporting material such as the material commonly referred to as cardboard so as to have various parts as hereinafter indicated. Various other equivalent deformable materials can, however, be employed in creating the structure 10.

A suitable sheet 12 formed so as to include various parts as hereinafter indicated and ready to be folded and secured into a protecting structure 10 is indicated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. In the interest of clarity it is suggested that reference be made to this FIG. 3 in considering the structure 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

This structure 10 includes what may be referred to as two sheets 14 and 16 of the material as indicated. Each of these sheets 14 and 16 have spaced side edges 18 and 20 which preferably converge from first ends 22 and 24 on the sheets 14 and 16, respectively, towards second ends 26 and 28 on these same sheets. The first end 22 has a straight configuration while the first end 24 has a curved configuration as shown. In the structure shown the side edges 18 on the sheets 14 and 16 are coextensive and are joined by means of a small compressed or scored fold line 30.

The side edges 20 on the sheet 16 is joined by a small similar line 32 to a flap 34 which extends completely along the fold line 32. This flap 34 technically forms no functional part of the complete structure after it is constructed. It is, however, employed so as to secure the side edges to one another by folding the sheets 14 and 16 so that these edges 20 are coterminous along the line 32. With this structure in effect the fold lines 30 and 32 serve as a flexible means operating more or less as hinges to join the sheets 14 and 16.

On both of the sheets 14 curved, scored or similarly treated identical fold lines 36 connect the corners of the first ends 22 and 24 at the side edges 18 and 20 so as to define a partially circular terminal portion 38 on the first sheet 14 and so as to define a related terminal portion 40 having two curved sides on the other sheet 16. The shape of this first end 22 is preferably substantially the same as the shape of the fold lines 36 on the sides 14 and 16. It will be noted that these fold lines 36 extend generally towards the centers of the sheets upon which they are located.

The second ends 26 and 28 are preferably slightly curved between the corners of the side edges 18 and 20 on the sheets 14 and 16 so that they will fit flush against a surface 42 when the entire structure 10 is folded and/or deformed to an open position as illustrated in FIG. 2 from the flat, folded, closed position in which it is normally supplied to a user as shown in FIG. 1.

In folding the structure 10 the sheets 14 and 16 are bowed outwardly from one another and held in this position while first the terminal portion 40 is bent downwardly so as to extend between these two sheets 14 and 16 and then while the other terminal portion 38 is similarly bent towards the sheet 16. When the portions 38 and 40 are bent in this manner they extend in what is substantially the same curved plane alongside of one another so as to create an internal space 44 which is adapted to contain a common door knob 46 when the structure 10 is used as shown in FIG. 2 so as to be positioned over the knob 46.

In this position the terminal portion 40 rests against the sheet 14 so as to prevent this space from collapsing and it is held in this position by virtue of the stresses and strains set up in the material used as it is deformed by folding. Such stresses and strains in the terminal portion 38 also tend to hold this terminal portion 38 in place in such a manner that it acts more or less as a retainer for the portion 40.

When the structure 10 is used in the intended manner the second ends 26 and 28 will engage a base 48 on the knob 46 so as to frictionally hold the structure 10 in place in such a manner that this structure adequately protects the knob 46 from being painted as the surface 42 is being painted or from other related hazards. Because of the thinness of the material within the sheets 14 and 16 the structure 10 does not normally interfere with such painting.

It is presently preferred to manufacture the structure 10 so that there are a plurality of scored lines 50 adapted to be severed by being torn extending across the sheets 14 and 16 substantially parallel to the second ends 26 and 28. These lines are designed so that the sheets 14 and 16 may be severed along them as by being torn so as to create new second ends 26 and 28 capable of fitting various different bases 48. It will be realized that the side edges 18 and 20 in the structure 10 are tapered so as to permit this utility in the structure 10 with bases 48 of various different sizes.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings there is shown a modified protecting structure which is constructed in substantially the same manner as the structure 10. In the interest of brevity those parts of the structure 100 which are the same or substantially the same as corresponding parts of the structure 10 are not separately indicated herein and are designated in the remainder of this specification and in the drawings by the numbers as previously utilized to designate such parts preceded by the numeral l In the structure 100 the side edges 118 and 120 are substantially straight and parallel when the complete structure 100 is in a flat, folded configuration prior to use. Also, in the structure 100 both of the first ends 122 and 124 are curved so as to have the same configuration. This structure 100 does not utilize scored lines corresponding to the lines 50 previously described.

The utilization of the structure 100 is substantially the same as the utilization of the structure 10. This structure 100 is normally supplied to a user in a flat, closed configuration or position as shown in FIG. 4. Such a user may conveniently bow the sheets 114 and 116 outwardly from one another and then fold the terminal portions 138 and 140 inwardly towards one another so that they lie against one another in any order desired. The structure 100 is then ready to be located so as to be fitted around a knob 146 projecting from a surface 142.

From this discussion it will be realized that the structures 10 and 100 described are simple, effective structures which may be easily, quickly and conveniently used by a painter in shielding or masking off objects projecting from a surface. These structures 10 and 100 are sufficiently simple so that they can be supplied at a very nominal cost. If desired, their exteriors may be printed to contain an advertising or similar material. This is considered to make the structures 10 and 100 particularly desirable for use as give-away type advertising materials.

Iclaim:

1. A protecting structure capable of being handled in a flat, closed position and capable of being opened to an open position in which it can be fitted around an object extending from a flat surface, said object having a base located adjacent to said surface, said structure comprising:

two sheets of a flexible, resilient, self-supporting material, each of said sheets having two side edges and first and second ends, said side edges of said sheets being identically shaped so as to be capable of fitting against one another and converging towards one another as they extend from said first ends towards said second ends,

flexible means for securing said side edges of said sheets to one another along the lengths of said side edges so that said sheets are held with respect to one another along their side edges,

both of said sheets having curved, scored lines curved generally towards the centers of said sheets and connecting the corners of said sheets between said first ends of said sheets and said side edges of said sheets,

said lines defining terminal portions on said sheets adjacent to said first ends of said sheets,

said sheets and said portions being normally positioned flat so as to be against one another in said closed position,

said sheets, said flexible means and said terminal portions being capable of being deformed in opening said protecting structure to said open position by bowing said sheets outwardly from one another between said side edges so as to create a space between said sheets and by bending said terminal portions so that said terminal portions extend in a curved plane alongside of one another in such a manner that they are directed towards one another,

at least one of said first ends being shaped so as to engage the sheet upon which it is not located when said structure is in said open position so as to hold said structure in said open position,

said second ends on said sheets being shaped so as to fit against said surface around said base when said structure is in said open position and is located so as to extend around said object extending from said surface and fitted against said surface, said sheets including scored lines extending across said sheets generally parallel to said second ends and adjacent to said second ends, said sheets being capable of being torn along said scored lines so as to create new second ends of progressively larger dimension.

2. A protecting structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

both of said first ends are identically shaped. 3. A protecting structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said second ends on both of said sheets are curved outwardly from the centers of said sheets between the corners of said sheets and said second ends so that in said open position said protecting structure will fit flush against a flat surface. 

1. A protecting structure capable of being handled in a flat, closed position and capable of being opened to an open position in which it can be fitted around an object extending from a flat surface, said object having a base located adjacent to said surface, said structure comprising: two sheets of a flexible, resilient, self-supporting material, each of said sheets having two side edges and first and second ends, said side edges of said sheets being identically shaped so as to be capable of fitting against one another and converging towards one another as they extend from said first ends towards said second ends, flexible means for securing said side edges of said sheets to one another along the lengths of said side edges so that said sheets are held with respect to one another along their side edges, both of said sheets having curved, scored lines curved generally towards the centers of said sheets and connecting the corners of said sheets between said first ends of said sheets and said side edges of said sheets, said lines defining terminal portions on said sheets adjacent to said first ends of said sheets, said sheets and said portions being normally positioned flat so as to be against one another in said closed position, said sheets, said flexible means and said terminal portions being capable of being deformed in opening said protecting structure to said open position by bowing said sheets outwardly from one another between said side edges so as to create a space between said sheets and by bending said terminal portions so that said terminal portions extend in a curved plane alongside of one another in such a manner that they are directed towards one another, at least one of said first ends being shaped so as to engage the sheet upon which it is not located when said structure is in said open position so as to hold said structure in said open position, said second ends on said sheets being shaped so as to fit against said surface around said base when said structure is in said open position and is located so as to extend around said object extending from said surface and fitted against said surface, said sheets including scored lines extending across said sheets generally parallel to said second ends and adjacent to said second ends, said sheets being capable of being torn along said scOred lines so as to create new second ends of progressively larger dimension.
 2. A protecting structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein: both of said first ends are identically shaped.
 3. A protecting structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said second ends on both of said sheets are curved outwardly from the centers of said sheets between the corners of said sheets and said second ends so that in said open position said protecting structure will fit flush against a flat surface. 